This Palgrave Pivot contextualizes Henry George as an important and uniquely American figure in the fields of economics and the political economy, with special emphasis on the frontier and innovation. This book discusses George's concept of rent as the result of economic progress, explains George's argument that the rise in rents caused by economic progress in turn generates inequality and poverty, and examines the relevance of these ideas in today's financialized global economy. This book adds to the very necessary discussion of whether our current financial industry is a benefit or a drain on human economic well-being.